Expanding Broadband

Modern digital infrastructure — including high-speed broadband networks — is essential to Ontario’s growth and competitiveness. It supports businesses, learning, health care and access to public services.

Since 2007, the Ontario Liberal government has committed more than $500 million to expand broadband networks across the province. This includes $90 million for the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project, which provides fibre optic coverage to 3.5 million people in more than 300 communities. It also includes $67.5 million in partnership with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund for northern broadband projects.

But we are hearing from people that we need to do more. Too many Ontario communities don’t have access to the high-speed broadband service they need in today’s world.

Invest an additional $500 million over three years to expand broadband and seek proposals from the northeastern, northwestern and rural parts of the province to improve access where it will have the most impact